How to turn a Swoon block into a table topper

As promised from my previous post, today I’m going to teach you how to turn a Swoon block into a table topper.

The Swoon quilt block comes from the pattern, Swoon, by Thimble Blossoms. Each block finishes at 24″, so it’s a really large square that can be used in many ways: the center of a medallion quilt, a wall hanging or a table topper.

October 2015 update: Many new people are visiting this page and asking for a pattern for the block used in my table topper. I don’t have one as I used the instructions from the pattern, Swoon, as mentioned above. I have researched and found several free tutorials (thank you bloggers) for a similar block measuring 24″ (this size is key). You can find the Star Surround block tutorial at Happy Quilting; the All Hallows Quilt Block tutorial at About.com; and the Ice Star Block (paper pieced) at Sew What Sherlock.

Turning this large square into an interesting and beautiful table topper is easy peasy! And it would work with any large size block.

So, you’ll need to start with a 24″ quilt block. If you’re interested in making a Swoon block, you can buy the pattern at your favorite local quilt shop or you can find one here.

Supplies:

24″ quilt block

1/4 yard (or fat quarter) fabric for the side triangles

3/4 yard fabric for the backing

1/4 yard fabric for the binding

Cut (2) 9 1/4″ squares for the side triangles. Cut each square in half diagonally to make four side triangles.

Stitch the long side of each triangle to the middle of each side of the 24″ quilt block, making sure to match centers.

That’s it! Now you have a table topper ready for quilting and binding!

For my batting, I used Pellon Thermolam which is made out of polyester. It holds its shape well and doesn’t shrink. It’s my favorite product to use in table runners/toppers and mug rugs.

I stitched in the ditch along the main seam lines and did some spirals in the open, yellow spaces. I found a stencil that was just right for the center.

The hardest part of this project is going to be the binding. There are some odd angles in there and twice as many corners to go around. I have a great tutorial, How to Bind an Inside Corner, that will walk you through the steps. It’s really not hard!

As soon as I finished this table topper, I gave it to my mom for her birthday. She loved it! This is what it looks like on her table:

This sits perfectly on her octagon shaped table! I think it would look great on a round table, too. And it’s even nice on my rectangular kitchen table.

I made a similar shaped table topper for Christmas last year. This is the Winter Seeds Table Topper. It has been one of my most popular tutorials!

Are you ready to make your own table topper? With the holidays around the corner, now would be a perfect time to start!

I love the green and blue star block in the upper left corner of the photos on the home page of your blog. Please tell me what it’s called and where I can get that pattern. Thank you so much. And thank you for your tutorials. I just found your blog and can’t wait to try some of your projects.

Thanks for the tutorial. I have a funnee story about my first Swoon blocks that I am making. The last two years have been horrible and I couldn’t even make myself piece except for the props for my education segment for guild each month this year. Well, I’ve had three good days in a row and cut out the background fabric for one of two Swoon quilts. I had to buy 1/2 yard cuts of the fabric, so it’s easy to cut two blocks at once. I thought my brother and his wife might like one for one of their three, yes three homes. They have their “normal” home, she’s a pastor and has the manse 175 miles away, and they have a “fun” house. So I even laid out my pieces according to the pattern in the same layout on my mat. Then I brought some pieces to the living room to draw my lines on the blocks. Then I couldn’t find some of my blocks any more. I hunted every where. I even found my large set of car keys that had been misplaced for over a year when looking on the desk. Then I found some red pieces and had no idea what they were. Since the pattern is in green and blue and I was using predominately green and predominately red, I had carefully laid out the pieces and sort of made a note of the changes. Wow! I don’t usually have such a problem. I think the green on the pattern threw me. I was hunting the house over for green pieces of fabric. Today I went and made another copy of the pattern since mine is rumpling from overuse on just one partial block and thanks for sticky notes. Now the block is all laid out and I have the other block ready for the background fabric (the backgrounds are two different back fabrics, very close – so they’ll be made at different times). Thanks for the wonderful tutorial.

It DOES sit perfectly on her table. Thanks for the tutorial!! I’d love to make one, or two, and will definitely put it down on my list!! I’m sure I have some orphan blocks tucked away that would work perfectly! Have a good week, ~karen.

I just love your table toppers, Julie and SEW appreciate all your tips and tutorials on how to do them. 🙂 I will definitely be giving the Winter Seeds topper one of these days, so I can try this type of binding for myself. Many thanks for all you do.

Thanks so much for the inspiration and the tutorial, Julie. I’m moving to a new home the week before Christmas so a Christmas themed table topper would be just the thing. I’ve purchased the pdf pattern – now to rummage through my stash and select some Christmas fabrics. Thanks again xx

A question for you….how did you mark the stencil on the dark center of your block? I am struggling to find something that works on darker fabrics….I am using Clover chalk pencils, but they are not ideal. Thanks!

I dont remember the name of the pencil it is for fabric, it is silver, any LQS
should have it, I think I also seen it at JoAnn’s. I know I am not much help, but I have only seen one that is silver & the other is white.

About me…

Hi there! Welcome to The Crafty Quilter. I'm Julie Cefalu, and this is where I get to express my creativity to a larger audience. I love to share quilting tips and tutorials along with the latest creative happenings in the blogging world. Thanks for visiting, and I hope you come back soon!Search for:

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